Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Tests, treatments, thoughts...

That's the only thing I could think of to write when I sat down to compose this because that's exactly what I did. I let out a big sigh.

Last week I told you about my upcoming MRI and the follow-up doctor's appointment. The good news is my MRI didn't show what the doctor thought she saw on my bone scan.

:| The bad news is that one of my blood tests, which I think I mentioned several weeks ago, was positive for lupus. I keep saying it was positive for a strain of lupus, but I'm not sure if that's the correct phrasing because I am just learning about this disease.

Although I do have some symptoms of fibromyalgia that don't correlate with lupus, the main concern and problem is the lupus. Fibromyalgia is secondary.

SIGH.....

You know reading about lupus isn't that great of an experience. It's bad enough that I have been feeling worse lately and that I already experience the chronic everyday pain. It's just so much information and since my appointment yesterday I have forgotten almost every specific thing the doctor said. The general stuff is still hanging around in my brain, but there's more information I need to know.

This is the line they hooked to me last week when Ihad the MRI. They had to test my blood for somethingand put some stuff in there half way through the MRI,which - by the way - was no fun.I have oodles of more blood work in the process (they took like 100 vials of blood yesterday) and a couple/few more tests. One, which I am so not looking forward to, is a "pin prick test." The doctor says, quite stoicly I might add, it's a little uncomfortable.

Ya think?

It's called PIN PRICK TEST! Great. I've already told everyone that I know that someone is going with me for that test.

I kind of smiled and said, "If you want to interpret like that. ... There isn't a cure."

"Yea, but now, you're okay?"

"Yes."

"Well, that's good." Leave it to him to look at the bright side of things. He always does so I guess I need someone like that around. "We're going to have to fight this together." Well, now that's even better.

How do I feel mentally? Right now I am pretty "up," so to speak. Although my brain is tired. How do I feel physically? Not so great (really hurting/sore) and I'm totally and completely exhausted.

The results of the blood tests (vitamin levels, hormones and some other stuff I can't remember) along with the urine test and the pin prick test (testing my nerves' reactions) should help to solidify a plan of action and a way to cope/live with this. For now... I just...

SIGH...

Right now, it doesn't seem important how much I weigh. Well, LOL, it's important to me, but there aren't really any updates in that arena. However, if you can give me some tips on incorporating the doctor mandated exercise (15-20 minutes a day, six days a week) into my schedule I would really appreciate the suggestions. And the prayers. I'm just saying.